Organize Your Teaching Resources!

I'm all about making things better for me and more efficient! And let me tell you, I've tried almost everything you can think of when it comes to organizing my curriculum. I just haven't been too good at this...ever!

I've tried file folders... only to have the paper falling out all over the place!

I've tried putting all my resources in binders... only to have so many that I didn't know which one to look through!

I've tried storing everything digitally... but the folders became too overwhelming!

I've tried folders... again! This time in a file cabinet, but I quickly figured out that by standard was not the way to go!

Finally... I came up with a solution that I think is going to work for me! After I created my year-long curriculum/pacing guide, it became clear that I needed something! It's still the binder method, but it's more organized! My first step was to pace out my school year based on my county's curriculum map. When I finished, it looked like this!

I LOVE IT! It's so easy to glance over and see what's coming up. It's also super easy to see exactly what I'm teaching each quarter. If you would like me to upload the template on TpT, please let me know. This idea lead me to my new binder system. So, Quarterly Binders were born!! If you want the cover template, please let me know! You can now download the template in my shop by clicking here.

The first thing I did was go down my pacing guide and create a tab for each skill in reading, LA, and writing. Then, I divided the tabs into 4 different binders.

Then, I went through my go-to resources and pulled out things I *KNOW* I will use and placed them in the correct binder and then tab.

When it's time for planning, I just grab my quarterly binder and find what I want to use. It's sitting right on my table right beside my desk.

It's so easy! Why didn't I think of this like 3 years ago???? What's your favorite way to organize your resources?

Here's an image for pinning!

FREE Curriculum Binder Pages for the 2014-2015 School Year

Hey, ya'll!

I wanted to stop by for a quick minute to let you all know that I've updated my Curriculum Binder file.  This is FREE in my TpT shop.  It is ready to go for the 2014-2015 school year with a zipped file that contains a printable .pdf file and an editable .ppt file.  Directions for adding your own text and what fonts to use can be found in the .ppt file.  If you use this, please let me know and leave feedback in my TpT shop.

There are 11 designs to choose from!

You can find more information on how I use my Curriculum Binder and a video in some of my older posts.

Also, I am in the process of finishing up my chapter 4 post for Falling in Love with Close Reading.  Check back soon!

Enjoy!

{FREEBIE} Curriculum Binder Pages for School Year 2013-2014

Are you already planning for next year?  I know I am :)  Does anyone else feel silly for getting ready for a new school year before the current one is over?  Last summer, I decided to create a curriculum binder where I would store all things related to my lesson plans and pretty much anything else I would need to help me plan.  I offered the divider pages in my TpT shop for free.  Today, I have updated them for the upcoming school year. If you would like to learn more about my binder and watch a video where I explain it, click here.

This upcoming year, I have six designs to choose from.  This year, I had one basic black/white design that I printed on bright paper.

Curriculum Binder 2012-2013

Boring.... BLAH!

It worked for what I needed, but I decided that I would like a little color this upcoming year.  You have a few color choices and a few black/white choices as well as two different font choices.

Here's a preview of the binder pages as well as close ups of each design.

The cursive font is a free one called Xiomara and the cutesy one is KBLimeLight.  Both can be downloaded for free.

To get your free 114 page download, please visit my TpT shop.

I also have four of the designs available in a .ppt file so you can personalize and create custom titles using your own fonts.  These are also available for free by clicking here.

Here's what they look like.  Please read the directions in the TpT description carefully before printing.

Happy {ALMOST} Friday ;-)